what to do weld or lock front diff?

[juzzydykes75]

After some input on what i should do regarding locking my front diff on my 60
been told that welding (cheaper) is stronger and being freewheeeling hubbed will only be locked if welded when hubs are engaged (locked) is this true?
although some people have sworn by detroit lockers and ive been told to keep away from lokka's as they have manufacturing problems . cant afford an air locker yet . but will get one in future for rear diff .
60 series diffs are crap without being locked . and i'm sick of getting stuck in basic stuff cause two wheels are spinnin and two are motionless.
i'm leaning toward welding at the moment as my brother is a boiler maker and i can get it done proffessionally for nothin except the time it takes.

[De-lux]

i'd say don't weld, after being the Navy in a truck in a recent comp i spent a lot of time locking / unlocking hubs so we could turn around. ended up being a big pain in the arse. go a proper locker - i.e. auto / air

[pongo]

i'd say don't weld, after being the Navy in a truck in a recent comp i spent a lot of time locking / unlocking hubs so we could turn around. ended up being a big pain in the arse. go a proper locker - i.e. auto / air

Yep worst problem with a welded front. with only one hub locked in i find it pulls hard to one side.

It all depends on what you way, Maybe weld it now and out a locker in later ?

I cant afford a locker yet so i welded mine. I also have 3 spares but havent needed em yet.

C.V. s also have to put up with more abuse

Cheers

[baddboy]

Detroit Lokkers are the standard diff centre for all NASCAR's. I would think that says alot. Lets not get into the old lokker argument though!

[muppet_man67]

Detroit Lokkers are the standard diff centre for all NASCAR's. I would think that says alot. Lets not get into the old lokker argument though!

there is a big difference between a full detroit locker that they get in the states and the lock rights we get in Australia.

[lay80n]

Detroit Lokkers are the standard diff centre for all NASCAR's. I would think that says alot. Lets not get into the old lokker argument though!

there is a big difference between a full detroit locker that they get in the states and the lock rights we get in Australia.

A detroit locker is a detroit locker. The Ex-locker is the small style like the lock-right etc. A detroit is pretty dam tough, but the ez-locker is limited in strength.

Layto....

[RockyF75]

You need to smack yourself in the face for even asking this question, and just be thankfull you can actually GET proper lockers for your vehicle, and quit this welding talk cause thats for us poor folk who have cars with no after market accessories available

[4x4xmore]

ive welded mine only because i dont have a locker available for my 4x4, if you dont have power steer make sure you have strong arms

[HotFourOk]

cant afford an air locker yet . but will get one in future for rear diff

Wait, and buy an air locker for the front. Put a detriot in the rear.

[droopypete]

cant afford an air locker yet . but will get one in future for rear diff

Wait, and buy an air locker for the front. Put a detriot in the rear.

Agree.
Peter.

[-Scott-]

I have nothing against Detroit lockers in a rear diff - I like the "don't have to think about it" solutions - should I lock the diff or not?

But I'd be worried about having any autolocker in the front diff, primarily for lack of steering in sloppy mud. An autolocker requires a ground-driven wheel to force it to unlock (which isn't an issue for NASCAR vehicles) - if you don't have sufficient traction it can't unlock, so it may want to plow straight ahead when you need it to turn.

Not a huge issue - I try to avoid mud anyway.

I guess I'm agreeing you should stick an autolocker in the rear diff, and an ARB/TJM locker in the front.

[jessie928]

if you have no money, WELD the rear, leave the front.

If you dont mind getting out and unlocking hubs to turn, WELD the front aswell.

Its going to get you more places than open diffs.

Its all well and good everyone telling you to wait for money for lockers, But some people cant and wont spend over 3000$ to get their diffs arb airlocked.

I would weld the back diff in an instant if it was not my daily driver)

i am weary about welding the front's because i am a lazy arse. ( to get in and out of the truck to ulock hubs)

BUT in a 40 series with no doors i woudl possibly weld the front aswell, because its an easy jump out of the truck.

cheap and nasty, but it WORKS.

Jes

[scotyz]

ONLY WELD IT IF YOU DONT WANT TO STEER IT

[BundyRumandCoke]

I've got Detriot Lockers in both front and rear diffs, and F70, thats standard daihatsu Rocky diffs (so dont say they're not available) Absolutely no problems with a Detriot in the front. It doesnt cause any steering issues, and really no problems with CV's either. And I have had mine in the front now for about 5-6 years.

[V8Patrol]

ONLY WELD IT IF YOU DONT WANT TO STEER IT

Couldnt have put it better myself

[christover1]

I ran a welded front diff for a long time.
It was great, but my car is narrow and light and this makes a big difference.
My diffs are cheap, so I had nothing to lose by trying it out.
So if your diffs are cheap, try it, you'll love it or hate it.
Precise steering ciontrol is the major prob, next to the nuisance of hopping out to unlock a hub.
Adding power steering made a lot of troubles go away, but now I'm running a lockright up front, I still need the power steer, but I am much happier.

I would not like a lock right in the rear, because it is no fun at speed as it is a bit unpredictable,(I use 2wd at speed)
although this issue may not be the case in a heavier truck?

So if diffs are cheap ya have nothing to lose.
But I do say go proper lockers if affordable.
I'm still welded rear and love it that way.

christover....

[bazzle]

ONLY WELD IT IF YOU DONT WANT TO STEER IT

Agree.

You need to drive a welded diff to see how true this is.
Front is a right pain.
Rear 80% pain.

Bazzle